Mowgli’sBrothers
NowRanntheKitebringshomethenightThatMangtheBatsetsfree——
TheherdsareshutinbyreandhutForloosedtilldawnarewe。
Thisisthehourofprideandpower，Talonandtushandclaw。
Oh，hearthecall！——GoodhuntingallThatkeeptheJungleLaw！
Night—SongintheJungleItwasseveno’clockofaverywarmeveningintheSeeoneehillswhenFatherWolfwokeupfromhisday’srest，scratchedhimself，yawned，andspreadouthispawsoneaftertheothertogetridofthesleepyfeelingintheirtips。MotherWolflaywithherbiggraynosedroppedacrossherfourtumbling，squealingcubs，andthemoonshoneintothemouthofthecavewheretheyalllived。
\"Augrh！\"saidFatherWolf。\"Itistimetohuntagain。\"Hewasgoingtospringdownhillwhenalittleshadowwithabushytailcrossedthethresholdandwhined：\"Goodluckgowithyou，OChiefoftheWolves。Andgoodluckandstrongwhiteteethgowithnoblechildrenthattheymayneverforgetthehungryinthisworld。\"
Itwasthejackal——Tabaqui，theDish—licker——andthewolvesofIndiadespiseTabaquibecauseherunsaboutmakingmischief，andtellingtales，andeatingragsandpiecesofleatherfromthevillagerubbish—heaps。Buttheyareafraidofhimtoo，becauseTabaqui，morethananyoneelseinthejungle，isapttogomad，andthenheforgetsthathewaseverafraidofanyone，andrunsthroughtheforestbitingeverythinginhisway。EventhetigerrunsandhideswhenlittleTabaquigoesmad，formadnessisthemostdisgracefulthingthatcanovertakeawildcreature。Wecallithydrophobia，buttheycallitdewanee——themadness——
andrun。
\"Enter，then，andlook，\"saidFatherWolfstiffly，\"butthereisnofoodhere。\"
\"Forawolf，no，\"saidTabaqui，\"butforsomeanapersonasmyselfadryboneisagoodfeast。Whoarewe，theGidur—log[thejackalpeople]，topickandchoose？\"Hescuttledtothebackofthecave，wherehefoundtheboneofabuckwithsomemeatonit，andsatcrackingtheendmerrily。
\"Allthanksforthisgoodmeal，\"hesaid，lickinghislips。
\"Howbeautifularethenoblechildren！Howlargearetheireyes！
Andsoyoungtoo！Indeed，indeed，Imighthaverememberedthatthechildrenofkingsaremenfromthebeginning。\"
Now，Tabaquiknewaswellasanyoneelsethatthereisnothingsounluckyastocomplimentchildrentotheirfaces。ItpleasedhimtoseeMotherandFatherWolflookuncomfortable。
Tabaquisatstill，rejoicinginthemischiefthathehadmade，andthenhesaidspitefully：
\"ShereKhan，theBigOne，hasshiftedhishuntinggrounds。Hewillhuntamongthesehillsforthenextmoon，sohehastoldme。\"
ShereKhanwasthetigerwholivedneartheWaingungaRiver，twentymilesaway。
\"Hehasnoright！\"FatherWolfbeganangrily——\"BytheLawoftheJunglehehasnorighttochangehisquarterswithoutduewarning。Hewillfrighteneveryheadofgamewithintenmiles，andI——Ihavetokillfortwo，thesedays。\"
\"HismotherdidnotcallhimLungri[theLameOne]fornothing，\"saidMotherWolfquietly。\"Hehasbeenlameinonefootfromhisbirth。Thatiswhyhehasonlykilledcattle。NowthevillagersoftheWaingungaareangrywithhim，andhehascomeheretomakeourvillagersangry。Theywillscourthejungleforhimwhenheisfaraway，andweandourchildrenmustrunwhenthegrassissetalight。Indeed，weareverygratefultoShereKhan！\"
\"ShallItellhimofyourgratitude？\"saidTabaqui。
\"Out！\"snappedFatherWolf。\"Outandhuntwiththymaster。
Thouhastdoneharmenoughforonenight。\"
\"Igo，\"saidTabaquiquietly。\"YecanhearShereKhanbelowinthethickets。Imighthavesavedmyselfthemessage。\"
FatherWolflistened，andbelowinthevalleythatrandowntoalittleriverheheardthedry，angry，snarly，singsongwhineofatigerwhohascaughtnothinganddoesnotcareifallthejungleknowsit。
\"Thefool！\"saidFatherWolf。\"Tobeginanight’sworkwiththatnoise！DoeshethinkthatourbuckarelikehisfatWaingungabullocks？\"
\"H’sh。Itisneitherbullocknorbuckhehuntsto—night，\"
saidMotherWolf。\"ItisMan。\"
Thewhinehadchangedtoasortofhummingpurrthatseemedtocomefromeveryquarterofthecompass。Itwasthenoisethatbewilderswoodcuttersandgypsiessleepingintheopen，andmakesthemrunsometimesintotheverymouthofthetiger。
\"Man！\"saidFatherWolf，showingallhiswhiteteeth。\"Faugh！
AretherenotenoughbeetlesandfrogsinthetanksthathemusteatMan，andonourgroundtoo！\"
TheLawoftheJungle，whichneverordersanythingwithoutareason，forbidseverybeasttoeatManexceptwhenheiskillingtoshowhischildrenhowtokill，andthenhemusthuntoutsidethehuntinggroundsofhispackortribe。Therealreasonforthisisthatman—killingmeans，soonerorlater，thearrivalofwhitemenonelephants，withguns，andhundredsofbrownmenwithgongsandrocketsandtorches。Theneverybodyinthejunglesuffers。ThereasonthebeastsgiveamongthemselvesisthatManistheweakestandmostdefenselessofalllivingthings，anditisunsportsmanliketotouchhim。Theysaytoo——anditistrue——thatman—eatersbecomemangy，andlosetheirteeth。
Thepurrgrewlouder，andendedinthefull—throated\"Aaarh！\"
ofthetiger’scharge。
Thentherewasahowl——anuntigerishhowl——fromShereKhan。\"Hehasmissed，\"saidMotherWolf。\"Whatisit？\"
FatherWolfranoutafewpacesandheardShereKhanmutteringandmumblingsavagelyashetumbledaboutinthescrub。
\"Thefoolhashadnomoresensethantojumpatawoodcutter’scampfire，andhasburnedhisfeet，\"saidFatherWolfwithagrunt。
\"Tabaquiiswithhim。\"
\"Somethingiscominguphill，\"saidMotherWolf，twitchingoneear。\"Getready。\"
Thebushesrustledalittleinthethicket，andFatherWolfdroppedwithhishaunchesunderhim，readyforhisleap。Then，ifyouhadbeenwatching，youwouldhaveseenthemostwonderfulthingintheworld——thewolfcheckedinmid—spring。Hemadehisboundbeforehesawwhatitwashewasjumpingat，andthenhetriedtostophimself。Theresultwasthatheshotupstraightintotheairforfourorfivefeet，landingalmostwhereheleftground。
\"Man！\"hesnapped。\"Aman’scub。Look！\"
Directlyinfrontofhim，holdingonbyalowbranch，stoodanakedbrownbabywhocouldjustwalk——assoftandasdimpledalittleatomasevercametoawolf’scaveatnight。HelookedupintoFatherWolf’sface，andlaughed。
\"Isthataman’scub？\"saidMotherWolf。\"Ihaveneverseenone。Bringithere。\"
AWolfaccustomedtomovinghisowncubscan，ifnecessary，mouthaneggwithoutbreakingit，andthoughFatherWolf’sjawsclosedrightonthechild’sbacknotatoothevenscratchedtheskinashelaiditdownamongthecubs。
\"Howlittle！Hownaked，and——howbold！\"saidMotherWolfsoftly。Thebabywaspushinghiswaybetweenthecubstogetclosetothewarmhide。\"Ahai！Heistakinghismealwiththeothers。Andsothisisaman’scub。Now，wasthereeverawolfthatcouldboastofaman’scubamongherchildren？\"
\"Ihaveheardnowandagainofsuchathing，butneverinourPackorinmytime，\"saidFatherWolf。\"Heisaltogetherwithouthair，andIcouldkillhimwithatouchofmyfoot。Butsee，helooksupandisnotafraid。\"
Themoonlightwasblockedoutofthemouthofthecave，forShereKhan’sgreatsquareheadandshoulderswerethrustintotheentrance。Tabaqui，behindhim，wassqueaking：\"Mylord，mylord，itwentinhere！\"
\"ShereKhandoesusgreathonor，\"saidFatherWolf，buthiseyeswereveryangry。\"WhatdoesShereKhanneed？\"
\"Myquarry。Aman’scubwentthisway，\"saidShereKhan。
\"Itsparentshaverunoff。Giveittome。\"
ShereKhanhadjumpedatawoodcutter’scampfire，asFatherWolfhadsaid，andwasfuriousfromthepainofhisburnedfeet。
ButFatherWolfknewthatthemouthofthecavewastoonarrowforatigertocomeinby。Evenwherehewas，ShereKhan’sshouldersandforepawswerecrampedforwantofroom，asaman’swouldbeifhetriedtofightinabarrel。
\"TheWolvesareafreepeople，\"saidFatherWolf。\"TheytakeordersfromtheHeadofthePack，andnotfromanystripedcattle—killer。Theman’scubisours——tokillifwechoose。\"
\"Yechooseandyedonotchoose！Whattalkisthisofchoosing？BythebullthatIkilled，amItostandnosingintoyourdog’sdenformyfairdues？ItisI，ShereKhan，whospeak！\"
Thetiger’sroarfilledthecavewiththunder。MotherWolfshookherselfclearofthecubsandsprangforward，hereyes，liketwogreenmoonsinthedarkness，facingtheblazingeyesofShereKhan。
\"AnditisI，Raksha[TheDemon]，whoanswers。Theman’scubismine，Lungri——minetome！Heshallnotbekilled。HeshalllivetorunwiththePackandtohuntwiththePack;andintheend，lookyou，hunteroflittlenakedcubs——frog—eater——
fish—killer——heshallhuntthee！Nowgethence，orbytheSambhurthatIkilled（Ieatnostarvedcattle），backthougoesttothymother，burnedbeastofthejungle，lamerthaneverthoucamestintotheworld！Go！\"
FatherWolflookedonamazed。HehadalmostforgottenthedayswhenhewonMotherWolfinfairfightfromfiveotherwolves，whensheraninthePackandwasnotcalledTheDemonforcompliment’ssake。ShereKhanmighthavefacedFatherWolf，buthecouldnotstandupagainstMotherWolf，forheknewthatwherehewasshehadalltheadvantageoftheground，andwouldfighttothedeath。Sohebackedoutofthecavemouthgrowling，andwhenhewasclearheshouted：
\"Eachdogbarksinhisownyard！WewillseewhatthePackwillsaytothisfosteringofman—cubs。Thecubismine，andtomyteethhewillcomeintheend，Obush—tailedthieves！\"
MotherWolfthrewherselfdownpantingamongthecubs，andFatherWolfsaidtohergravely：
\"ShereKhanspeaksthismuchtruth。ThecubmustbeshowntothePack。Wiltthoustillkeephim，Mother？\"
\"Keephim！\"shegasped。\"Hecamenaked，bynight，aloneandveryhungry;yethewasnotafraid！Look，hehaspushedoneofmybabestoonesidealready。AndthatlamebutcherwouldhavekilledhimandwouldhaverunofftotheWaingungawhilethevillagersherehuntedthroughallourlairsinrevenge！Keephim？
AssuredlyIwillkeephim。Liestill，littlefrog。OthouMowgli——forMowglitheFrogIwillcallthee——thetimewillcomewhenthouwilthuntShereKhanashehashuntedthee。\"
\"ButwhatwillourPacksay？\"saidFatherWolf。
TheLawoftheJunglelaysdownveryclearlythatanywolfmay，whenhemarries，withdrawfromthePackhebelongsto。ButassoonashiscubsareoldenoughtostandontheirfeethemustbringthemtothePackCouncil，whichisgenerallyheldonceamonthatfullmoon，inorderthattheotherwolvesmayidentifythem。Afterthatinspectionthecubsarefreetorunwheretheyplease，anduntiltheyhavekilledtheirfirstbucknoexcuseisacceptedifagrownwolfofthePackkillsoneofthem。Thepunishmentisdeathwherethemurderercanbefound;andifyouthinkforaminuteyouwillseethatthismustbeso。
FatherWolfwaitedtillhiscubscouldrunalittle，andthenonthenightofthePackMeetingtookthemandMowgliandMotherWolftotheCouncilRock——ahilltopcoveredwithstonesandboulderswhereahundredwolvescouldhide。Akela，thegreatgrayLoneWolf，wholedallthePackbystrengthandcunning，layoutatfulllengthonhisrock，andbelowhimsatfortyormorewolvesofeverysizeandcolor，frombadger—coloredveteranswhocouldhandleabuckalonetoyoungblackthree—year—oldswhothoughttheycould。TheLoneWolfhadledthemforayearnow。Hehadfallentwiceintoawolftrapinhisyouth，andoncehehadbeenbeatenandleftfordead;soheknewthemannersandcustomsofmen。TherewasverylittletalkingattheRock。Thecubstumbledovereachotherinthecenterofthecirclewheretheirmothersandfatherssat，andnowandagainaseniorwolfwouldgoquietlyuptoacub，lookathimcarefully，andreturntohisplaceonnoiselessfeet。Sometimesamotherwouldpushhercubfaroutintothemoonlighttobesurethathehadnotbeenoverlooked。
Akelafromhisrockwouldcry：\"YeknowtheLaw——yeknowtheLaw。Lookwell，OWolves！\"Andtheanxiousmotherswouldtakeupthecall：\"Look——lookwell，OWolves！\"
Atlast——andMotherWolf’sneckbristlesliftedasthetimecame——FatherWolfpushed\"MowglitheFrog，\"astheycalledhim，intothecenter，wherehesatlaughingandplayingwithsomepebblesthatglistenedinthemoonlight。
Akelaneverraisedhisheadfromhispaws，butwentonwiththemonotonouscry：\"Lookwell！\"Amuffledroarcameupfrombehindtherocks——thevoiceofShereKhancrying：\"Thecubismine。Givehimtome。WhathavetheFreePeopletodowithaman’scub？\"Akelanevereventwitchedhisears。Allhesaidwas：
\"Lookwell，OWolves！WhathavetheFreePeopletodowiththeordersofanysavetheFreePeople？Lookwell！\"
Therewasachorusofdeepgrowls，andayoungwolfinhisfourthyearflungbackShereKhan’squestiontoAkela：\"WhathavetheFreePeopletodowithaman’scub？\"Now，theLawoftheJunglelaysdownthatifthereisanydisputeastotherightofacubtobeacceptedbythePack，hemustbespokenforbyatleasttwomembersofthePackwhoarenothisfatherandmother。
\"Whospeaksforthiscub？\"saidAkela。\"AmongtheFreePeoplewhospeaks？\"TherewasnoanswerandMotherWolfgotreadyforwhatsheknewwouldbeherlastfight，ifthingscametofighting。
ThentheonlyothercreaturewhoisallowedatthePackCouncil——Baloo，thesleepybrownbearwhoteachesthewolfcubstheLawoftheJungle：oldBaloo，whocancomeandgowherehepleasesbecauseheeatsonlynutsandrootsandhoney——roseuponhishindquartersandgrunted。
\"Theman’scub——theman’scub？\"hesaid。\"Ispeakfortheman’scub。Thereisnoharminaman’scub。Ihavenogiftofwords，butIspeakthetruth。LethimrunwiththePack，andbeenteredwiththeothers。Imyselfwillteachhim。\"
\"Weneedyetanother，\"saidAkela。\"Baloohasspoken，andheisourteacherfortheyoungcubs。WhospeaksbesidesBaloo？\"
Ablackshadowdroppeddownintothecircle。ItwasBagheeratheBlackPanther，inkyblackallover，butwiththepanthermarkingsshowingupincertainlightslikethepatternofwateredsilk。EverybodyknewBagheera，andnobodycaredtocrosshispath;forhewasascunningasTabaqui，asboldasthewildbuffalo，andasrecklessasthewoundedelephant。Buthehadavoiceassoftaswildhoneydrippingfromatree，andaskinsofterthandown。
\"OAkela，andyetheFreePeople，\"hepurred，\"Ihavenorightinyourassembly，buttheLawoftheJunglesaysthatifthereisadoubtwhichisnotakillingmatterinregardtoanewcub，thelifeofthatcubmaybeboughtataprice。AndtheLawdoesnotsaywhomayormaynotpaythatprice。AmIright？\"
\"Good！Good！\"saidtheyoungwolves，whoarealwayshungry。
\"ListentoBagheera。Thecubcanbeboughtforaprice。ItistheLaw。\"
\"KnowingthatIhavenorighttospeakhere，Iaskyourleave。\"
\"Speakthen，\"criedtwentyvoices。
\"Tokillanakedcubisshame。Besides，hemaymakebettersportforyouwhenheisgrown。Baloohasspokeninhisbehalf。
NowtoBaloo’swordIwilladdonebull，andafatone，newlykilled，nothalfamilefromhere，ifyewillaccepttheman’scubaccordingtotheLaw。Isitdifficult？\"
Therewasaclamorofscoresofvoices，saying：\"Whatmatter？
Hewilldieinthewinterrains。Hewillscorchinthesun。Whatharmcananakedfrogdous？LethimrunwiththePack。Whereisthebull，Bagheera？Lethimbeaccepted。\"AndthencameAkela’sdeepbay，crying：\"Lookwell——lookwell，OWolves！\"
Mowgliwasstilldeeplyinterestedinthepebbles，andhedidnotnoticewhenthewolvescameandlookedathimonebyone。Atlasttheyallwentdownthehillforthedeadbull，andonlyAkela，Bagheera，Baloo，andMowgli’sownwolveswereleft。ShereKhanroaredstillinthenight，forhewasveryangrythatMowglihadnotbeenhandedovertohim。
\"Ay，roarwell，\"saidBagheera，underhiswhiskers，\"forthetimewillcomewhenthisnakedthingwillmaketheeroartoanothertune，orIknownothingofman。\"
\"Itwaswelldone，\"saidAkela。\"Menandtheircubsareverywise。Hemaybeahelpintime。\"
\"Truly，ahelpintimeofneed;fornonecanhopetoleadthePackforever，\"saidBagheera。
Akelasaidnothing。Hewasthinkingofthetimethatcomestoeveryleaderofeverypackwhenhisstrengthgoesfromhimandhegetsfeeblerandfeebler，tillatlastheiskilledbythewolvesandanewleadercomesup——tobekilledinhisturn。
\"Takehimaway，\"hesaidtoFatherWolf，\"andtrainhimasbefitsoneoftheFreePeople。\"
AndthatishowMowgliwasenteredintotheSeeoneeWolfPackforthepriceofabullandonBaloo’sgoodword。
Nowyoumustbecontenttoskiptenorelevenwholeyears，andonlyguessatallthewonderfullifethatMowgliledamongthewolves，becauseifitwerewrittenoutitwouldfilleversomanybooks。Hegrewupwiththecubs，thoughthey，ofcourse，weregrownwolvesalmostbeforehewasachild。AndFatherWolftaughthimhisbusiness，andthemeaningofthingsinthejungle，tilleveryrustleinthegrass，everybreathofthewarmnightair，everynoteoftheowlsabovehishead，everyscratchofabat’sclawsasitroostedforawhileinatree，andeverysplashofeverylittlefishjumpinginapoolmeantjustasmuchtohimastheworkofhisofficemeanstoabusinessman。Whenhewasnotlearninghesatoutinthesunandslept，andateandwenttosleepagain。Whenhefeltdirtyorhotheswamintheforestpools;andwhenhewantedhoney（Balootoldhimthathoneyandnutswerejustaspleasanttoeatasrawmeat）heclimbedupforit，andthatBagheerashowedhimhowtodo。Bagheerawouldlieoutonabranchandcall，\"Comealong，LittleBrother，\"andatfirstMowgliwouldclinglikethesloth，butafterwardhewouldflinghimselfthroughthebranchesalmostasboldlyasthegrayape。HetookhisplaceattheCouncilRock，too，whenthePackmet，andtherehediscoveredthatifhestaredhardatanywolf，thewolfwouldbeforcedtodrophiseyes，andsoheusedtostareforfun。Atothertimeshewouldpickthelongthornsoutofthepadsofhisfriends，forwolvessufferterriblyfromthornsandbursintheircoats。Hewouldgodownthehillsideintothecultivatedlandsbynight，andlookverycuriouslyatthevillagersintheirhuts，buthehadamistrustofmenbecauseBagheerashowedhimasquareboxwithadropgatesocunninglyhiddeninthejunglethathenearlywalkedintoit，andtoldhimthatitwasatrap。HelovedbetterthananythingelsetogowithBagheeraintothedarkwarmheartoftheforest，tosleepallthroughthedrowsyday，andatnightseehowBagheeradidhiskilling。Bagheerakilledrightandleftashefelthungry，andsodidMowgli——withoneexception。Assoonashewasoldenoughtounderstandthings，BagheeratoldhimthathemustnevertouchcattlebecausehehadbeenboughtintothePackatthepriceofabull’slife。\"Allthejungleisthine，\"saidBagheera，\"andthoucanstkilleverythingthatthouartstrongenoughtokill;butforthesakeofthebullthatboughttheethoumustneverkilloreatanycattleyoungorold。ThatistheLawoftheJungle。\"Mowgliobeyedfaithfully。
Andhegrewandgrewstrongasaboymustgrowwhodoesnotknowthatheislearninganylessons，andwhohasnothingintheworldtothinkofexceptthingstoeat。
MotherWolftoldhimonceortwicethatShereKhanwasnotacreaturetobetrusted，andthatsomedayhemustkillShereKhan。
Butthoughayoungwolfwouldhaverememberedthatadviceeveryhour，Mowgliforgotitbecausehewasonlyaboy——thoughhewouldhavecalledhimselfawolfifhehadbeenabletospeakinanyhumantongue。
ShereKhanwasalwayscrossinghispathinthejungle，forasAkelagrewolderandfeeblerthelametigerhadcometobegreatfriendswiththeyoungerwolvesofthePack，whofollowedhimforscraps，athingAkelawouldneverhaveallowedifhehaddaredtopushhisauthoritytotheproperbounds。ThenShereKhanwouldflatterthemandwonderthatsuchfineyounghunterswerecontenttobeledbyadyingwolfandaman’scub。\"Theytellme，\"ShereKhanwouldsay，\"thatatCouncilyedarenotlookhimbetweentheeyes。\"Andtheyoungwolveswouldgrowlandbristle。
Bagheera，whohadeyesandearseverywhere，knewsomethingofthis，andonceortwicehetoldMowgliinsomanywordsthatShereKhanwouldkillhimsomeday。Mowgliwouldlaughandanswer：\"I
havethePackandIhavethee;andBaloo，thoughheissolazy，mightstrikeablowortwoformysake。WhyshouldIbeafraid？\"
ItwasoneverywarmdaythatanewnotioncametoBagheera——
bornofsomethingthathehadheard。PerhapsIkkithePorcupinehadtoldhim;buthesaidtoMowgliwhentheyweredeepinthejungle，astheboylaywithhisheadonBagheera’sbeautifulblackskin，\"LittleBrother，howoftenhaveItoldtheethatShereKhanisthyenemy？\"
\"Asmanytimesastherearenutsonthatpalm，\"saidMowgli，who，naturally，couldnotcount。\"Whatofit？Iamsleepy，Bagheera，andShereKhanisalllongtailandloudtalk——likeMao，thePeacock。\"
\"Butthisisnotimeforsleeping。Balooknowsit;Iknowit;
thePackknowit;andeventhefoolish，foolishdeerknow。
Tabaquihastoldtheetoo。\"
\"Ho！ho！\"saidMowgli。\"TabaquicametomenotlongagowithsomerudetalkthatIwasanakedman’scubandnotfittodigpig—nuts。ButIcaughtTabaquibythetailandswunghimtwiceagainstapalm—treetoteachhimbettermanners。\"
\"Thatwasfoolishness，forthoughTabaquiisamischief—maker，hewouldhavetoldtheeofsomethingthatconcernedtheeclosely。
Openthoseeyes，LittleBrother。ShereKhandarenotkilltheeinthejungle。Butremember，Akelaisveryold，andsoonthedaycomeswhenhecannotkillhisbuck，andthenhewillbeleadernomore。ManyofthewolvesthatlookedtheeoverwhenthouwastbroughttotheCouncilfirstareoldtoo，andtheyoungwolvesbelieve，asShereKhanhastaughtthem，thataman—cubhasnoplacewiththePack。Inalittletimethouwiltbeaman。\"
\"Andwhatisamanthatheshouldnotrunwithhisbrothers？\"
saidMowgli。\"Iwasborninthejungle。IhaveobeyedtheLawoftheJungle，andthereisnowolfofoursfromwhosepawsIhavenotpulledathorn。Surelytheyaremybrothers！\"
Bagheerastretchedhimselfatfulllengthandhalfshuthiseyes。\"LittleBrother，\"saidhe，\"feelundermyjaw。\"
Mowgliputuphisstrongbrownhand，andjustunderBagheera’ssilkychin，wherethegiantrollingmuscleswereallhidbytheglossyhair，hecameuponalittlebaldspot。
\"ThereisnooneinthejunglethatknowsthatI，Bagheera，carrythatmark——themarkofthecollar;andyet，LittleBrother，Iwasbornamongmen，anditwasamongmenthatmymotherdied——inthecagesoftheking’spalaceatOodeypore。ItwasbecauseofthisthatIpaidthepricefortheeattheCouncilwhenthouwastalittlenakedcub。Yes，Itoowasbornamongmen。I
hadneverseenthejungle。TheyfedmebehindbarsfromanironpantillonenightIfeltthatIwasBagheera——thePanther——
andnoman’splaything，andIbrokethesillylockwithoneblowofmypawandcameaway。AndbecauseIhadlearnedthewaysofmen，IbecamemoreterribleinthejunglethanShereKhan。Isitnotso？\"
\"Yes，\"saidMowgli，\"allthejunglefearBagheera——allexceptMowgli。\"
\"Oh，thouartaman’scub，\"saidtheBlackPantherverytenderly。\"AndevenasIreturnedtomyjungle，sothoumustgobacktomenatlast——tothemenwhoarethybrothers——ifthouartnotkilledintheCouncil。\"
\"Butwhy——butwhyshouldanywishtokillme？\"saidMowgli。
\"Lookatme，\"saidBagheera。AndMowglilookedathimsteadilybetweentheeyes。Thebigpantherturnedhisheadawayinhalfaminute。
\"Thatiswhy，\"hesaid，shiftinghispawontheleaves。\"NotevenIcanlooktheebetweentheeyes，andIwasbornamongmen，andIlovethee，LittleBrother。Theotherstheyhatetheebecausetheireyescannotmeetthine;becausethouartwise;
becausethouhastpulledoutthornsfromtheirfeet——becausethouartaman。\"
\"Ididnotknowthesethings，\"saidMowglisullenly，andhefrownedunderhisheavyblackeyebrows。
\"WhatistheLawoftheJungle？Strikefirstandthengivetongue。Bythyverycarelessnesstheyknowthatthouartaman。
Butbewise。ItisinmyheartthatwhenAkelamisseshisnextkill——andateachhuntitcostshimmoretopinthebuck——thePackwillturnagainsthimandagainstthee。TheywillholdajungleCouncilattheRock，andthen——andthen——Ihaveit！\"
saidBagheera，leapingup。\"Gothoudownquicklytothemen’shutsinthevalley，andtakesomeoftheRedFlowerwhichtheygrowthere，sothatwhenthetimecomesthoumayesthaveevenastrongerfriendthanIorBalooorthoseofthePackthatlovethee。GettheRedFlower。\"
ByRedFlowerBagheerameantfire，onlynocreatureinthejunglewillcallfirebyitspropername。Everybeastlivesindeadlyfearofit，andinventsahundredwaysofdescribingit。
\"TheRedFlower？\"saidMowgli。\"Thatgrowsoutsidetheirhutsinthetwilight。Iwillgetsome。\"
\"Therespeakstheman’scub，\"saidBagheeraproudly。
\"Rememberthatitgrowsinlittlepots。Getoneswiftly，andkeepitbytheefortimeofneed。\"
\"Good！\"saidMowgli。\"Igo。Butartthousure，OmyBagheera\"——heslippedhisarmaroundthesplendidneckandlookeddeepintothebigeyes——\"artthousurethatallthisisShereKhan’sdoing？\"
\"BytheBrokenLockthatfreedme，Iamsure，LittleBrother。\"
\"Then，bytheBullthatboughtme，IwillpayShereKhanfulltaleforthis，anditmaybealittleover，\"saidMowgli，andheboundedaway。
\"Thatisaman。Thatisallaman，\"saidBagheeratohimself，lyingdownagain。\"Oh，ShereKhan，neverwasablackerhuntingthanthatfrog—huntofthinetenyearsago！\"
Mowgliwasfarandfarthroughtheforest，runninghard，andhisheartwashotinhim。Hecametothecaveastheeveningmistrose，anddrewbreath，andlookeddownthevalley。Thecubswereout，butMotherWolf，atthebackofthecave，knewbyhisbreathingthatsomethingwastroublingherfrog。
\"Whatisit，Son？\"shesaid。
\"Somebat’schatterofShereKhan，\"hecalledback。\"Ihuntamongtheplowedfieldstonight，\"andheplungeddownwardthroughthebushes，tothestreamatthebottomofthevalley。Therehechecked，forheheardtheyellofthePackhunting，heardthebellowofahuntedSambhur，andthesnortasthebuckturnedatbay。Thentherewerewicked，bitterhowlsfromtheyoungwolves：
\"Akela！Akela！LettheLoneWolfshowhisstrength。RoomfortheleaderofthePack！Spring，Akela！\"
TheLoneWolfmusthavesprungandmissedhishold，forMowgliheardthesnapofhisteethandthenayelpastheSambhurknockedhimoverwithhisforefoot。
Hedidnotwaitforanythingmore，butdashedon;andtheyellsgrewfainterbehindhimasheranintothecroplandswherethevillagerslived。
\"Bagheeraspoketruth，\"hepanted，ashenestleddowninsomecattlefodderbythewindowofahut。\"To—morrowisonedaybothforAkelaandforme。\"
Thenhepressedhisfaceclosetothewindowandwatchedthefireonthehearth。Hesawthehusbandman’swifegetupandfeeditinthenightwithblacklumps。Andwhenthemorningcameandthemistswereallwhiteandcold，hesawtheman’schildpickupawickerpotplasteredinsidewithearth，fillitwithlumpsofred—hotcharcoal，putitunderhisblanket，andgoouttotendthecowsinthebyre。
\"Isthatall？\"saidMowgli。\"Ifacubcandoit，thereisnothingtofear。\"Sohestroderoundthecornerandmettheboy，tookthepotfromhishand，anddisappearedintothemistwhiletheboyhowledwithfear。
\"Theyareverylikeme，\"saidMowgli，blowingintothepotashehadseenthewomando。\"ThisthingwilldieifIdonotgiveitthingstoeat\";andhedroppedtwigsanddriedbarkontheredstuff。HalfwayupthehillhemetBagheerawiththemorningdewshininglikemoonstonesonhiscoat。
\"Akelahasmissed，\"saidthePanther。\"Theywouldhavekilledhimlastnight，buttheyneededtheealso。Theywerelookingfortheeonthehill。\"
\"Iwasamongtheplowedlands。Iamready。See！\"Mowgliheldupthefire—pot。
\"Good！Now，Ihaveseenmenthrustadrybranchintothatstuff，andpresentlytheRedFlowerblossomedattheendofit。
Artthounotafraid？\"
\"No。WhyshouldIfear？Iremembernow——ifitisnotadream——how，beforeIwasaWolf，IlaybesidetheRedFlower，anditwaswarmandpleasant。\"
AllthatdayMowglisatinthecavetendinghisfirepotanddippingdrybranchesintoittoseehowtheylooked。Hefoundabranchthatsatisfiedhim，andintheeveningwhenTabaquicametothecaveandtoldhimrudelyenoughthathewaswantedattheCouncilRock，helaughedtillTabaquiranaway。ThenMowgliwenttotheCouncil，stilllaughing。
AkelatheLoneWolflaybythesideofhisrockasasignthattheleadershipofthePackwasopen，andShereKhanwithhisfollowingofscrap—fedwolveswalkedtoandfroopenlybeingflattered。BagheeralayclosetoMowgli，andthefirepotwasbetweenMowgli’sknees。Whentheywereallgatheredtogether，ShereKhanbegantospeak——athinghewouldneverhavedaredtodowhenAkelawasinhisprime。
\"Hehasnoright，\"whisperedBagheera。\"Sayso。Heisadog’sson。Hewillbefrightened。\"
Mowglisprangtohisfeet。\"FreePeople，\"hecried，\"doesShereKhanleadthePack？Whathasatigertodowithourleadership？\"
\"Seeingthattheleadershipisyetopen，andbeingaskedtospeak——\"ShereKhanbegan。
\"Bywhom？\"saidMowgli。\"Arewealljackals，tofawnonthiscattlebutcher？TheleadershipofthePackiswiththePackalone。\"
Therewereyellsof\"Silence，thouman’scub！\"\"Lethimspeak。HehaskeptourLaw\";andatlasttheseniorsofthePackthundered：\"LettheDeadWolfspeak。\"WhenaleaderofthePackhasmissedhiskill，heiscalledtheDeadWolfaslongashelives，whichisnotlong。
Akelaraisedhisoldheadwearily：——
\"FreePeople，andyetoo，jackalsofShereKhan，fortwelveseasonsIhaveledyetoandfromthekill，andinallthattimenotonehasbeentrappedormaimed。NowIhavemissedmykill。
Yeknowhowthatplotwasmade。Yeknowhowyebroughtmeuptoanuntriedbucktomakemyweaknessknown。Itwascleverlydone。
YourrightistokillmehereontheCouncilRock，now。
Therefore，Iask，whocomestomakeanendoftheLoneWolf？Foritismyright，bytheLawoftheJungle，thatyecomeonebyone。\"
Therewasalonghush，fornosinglewolfcaredtofightAkelatothedeath。ThenShereKhanroared：\"Bah！Whathavewetodowiththistoothlessfool？Heisdoomedtodie！Itistheman—cubwhohaslivedtoolong。FreePeople，hewasmymeatfromthefirst。Givehimtome。Iamwearyofthisman—wolffolly。Hehastroubledthejunglefortenseasons。Givemetheman—cub，orIwillhuntherealways，andnotgiveyouonebone。Heisaman，aman’schild，andfromthemarrowofmybonesIhatehim！\"
ThenmorethanhalfthePackyelled：\"Aman！Aman！Whathasamantodowithus？Lethimgotohisownplace。\"
\"Andturnallthepeopleofthevillagesagainstus？\"clamoredShereKhan。\"No，givehimtome。Heisaman，andnoneofuscanlookhimbetweentheeyes。\"
Akelaliftedhisheadagainandsaid，\"Hehaseatenourfood。
Hehassleptwithus。Hehasdrivengameforus。HehasbrokennowordoftheLawoftheJungle。\"
\"Also，Ipaidforhimwithabullwhenhewasaccepted。Theworthofabullislittle，butBagheera’shonorissomethingthathewillperhapsfightfor，\"saidBagheerainhisgentlestvoice。
\"Abullpaidtenyearsago！\"thePacksnarled。\"Whatdowecareforbonestenyearsold？\"
\"Orforapledge？\"saidBagheera，hiswhiteteethbaredunderhislip。\"WellareyecalledtheFreePeople！\"
\"Noman’scubcanrunwiththepeopleofthejungle，\"howledShereKhan。\"Givehimtome！\"
\"Heisourbrotherinallbutblood，\"Akelawenton，\"andyewouldkillhimhere！Intruth，Ihavelivedtoolong。Someofyeareeatersofcattle，andofothersIhaveheardthat，underShereKhan’steaching，yegobydarknightandsnatchchildrenfromthevillager’sdoorstep。ThereforeIknowyetobecowards，anditistocowardsIspeak。ItiscertainthatImustdie，andmylifeisofnoworth，orIwouldofferthatintheman—cub’splace。ButforthesakeoftheHonorofthePack，——alittlematterthatbybeingwithoutaleaderyehaveforgotten，——Ipromisethatifyelettheman—cubgotohisownplace，Iwillnot，whenmytimecomestodie，bareonetoothagainstye。Iwilldiewithoutfighting。ThatwillatleastsavethePackthreelives。MoreI
cannotdo;butifyewill，Icansaveyetheshamethatcomesofkillingabrotheragainstwhomthereisnofault——abrotherspokenforandboughtintothePackaccordingtotheLawoftheJungle。\"
\"Heisaman——aman——aman！\"snarledthePack。AndmostofthewolvesbegantogatherroundShereKhan，whosetailwasbeginningtoswitch。
\"Nowthebusinessisinthyhands，\"saidBagheeratoMowgli。
\"Wecandonomoreexceptfight。\"
Mowglistoodupright——thefirepotinhishands。Thenhestretchedouthisarms，andyawnedinthefaceoftheCouncil;buthewasfuriouswithrageandsorrow，for，wolflike，thewolveshadnevertoldhimhowtheyhatedhim。\"Listenyou！\"hecried。
\"Thereisnoneedforthisdog’sjabber。YehavetoldmesooftentonightthatIamaman（andindeedIwouldhavebeenawolfwithyoutomylife’send）thatIfeelyourwordsaretrue。SoIdonotcallyemybrothersanymore，butsag[dogs]，asamanshould。
Whatyewilldo，andwhatyewillnotdo，isnotyourstosay。
Thatmatteriswithme;andthatwemayseethemattermoreplainly，I，theman，havebroughtherealittleoftheRedFlowerwhichye，dogs，fear。\"
Heflungthefirepotontheground，andsomeoftheredcoalslitatuftofdriedmossthatflaredup，asalltheCouncildrewbackinterrorbeforetheleapingflames。
Mowglithrusthisdeadbranchintothefiretillthetwigslitandcrackled，andwhirleditabovehisheadamongthecoweringwolves。
\"Thouartthemaster，\"saidBagheerainanundertone。\"SaveAkelafromthedeath。Hewaseverthyfriend。\"
Akela，thegrimoldwolfwhohadneveraskedformercyinhislife，gaveonepiteouslookatMowgliastheboystoodallnaked，hislongblackhairtossingoverhisshouldersinthelightoftheblazingbranchthatmadetheshadowsjumpandquiver。
\"Good！\"saidMowgli，staringroundslowly。\"Iseethatyearedogs。Igofromyoutomyownpeople——iftheybemyownpeople。
Thejungleisshuttome，andImustforgetyourtalkandyourcompanionship。ButIwillbemoremercifulthanyeare。BecauseIwasallbutyourbrotherinblood，IpromisethatwhenIamamanamongmenIwillnotbetrayyetomenasyehavebetrayedme。\"
Hekickedthefirewithhisfoot，andthesparksflewup。\"ThereshallbenowarbetweenanyofusinthePack。ButhereisadebttopaybeforeIgo。\"HestrodeforwardtowhereShereKhansatblinkingstupidlyattheflames，andcaughthimbythetuftonhischin。Bagheerafollowedincaseofaccidents。\"Up，dog！\"Mowglicried。\"Up，whenamanspeaks，orIwillsetthatcoatablaze！\"
ShereKhan’searslayflatbackonhishead，andheshuthiseyes，fortheblazingbranchwasverynear。
\"Thiscattle—killersaidhewouldkillmeintheCouncilbecausehehadnotkilledmewhenIwasacub。Thusandthus，then，dowebeatdogswhenwearemen。Stirawhisker，Lungri，andIramtheRedFlowerdownthygullet！\"HebeatShereKhanovertheheadwiththebranch，andthetigerwhimperedandwhinedinanagonyoffear。
\"Pah！Singedjunglecat——gonow！ButrememberwhennextI
cometotheCouncilRock，asamanshouldcome，itwillbewithShereKhan’shideonmyhead。Fortherest，Akelagoesfreetoliveashepleases。Yewillnotkillhim，becausethatisnotmywill。NordoIthinkthatyewillsithereanylonger，lollingoutyourtonguesasthoughyeweresomebodies，insteadofdogswhomIdriveout——thus！Go！\"Thefirewasburningfuriouslyattheendofthebranch，andMowglistruckrightandleftroundthecircle，andthewolvesranhowlingwiththesparksburningtheirfur。AtlasttherewereonlyAkela，Bagheera，andperhapstenwolvesthathadtakenMowgli’spart。ThensomethingbegantohurtMowgliinsidehim，ashehadneverbeenhurtinhislifebefore，andhecaughthisbreathandsobbed，andthetearsrandownhisface。
\"Whatisit？Whatisit？\"hesaid。\"Idonotwishtoleavethejungle，andIdonotknowwhatthisis。AmIdying，Bagheera？\"
\"No，LittleBrother。Thatisonlytearssuchasmenuse，\"
saidBagheera。\"NowIknowthouartaman，andaman’scubnolonger。Thejungleisshutindeedtotheehenceforward。Letthemfall，Mowgli。Theyareonlytears。\"SoMowglisatandcriedasthoughhisheartwouldbreak;andhehadnevercriedinallhislifebefore。
\"Now，\"hesaid，\"Iwillgotomen。ButfirstImustsayfarewelltomymother。\"AndhewenttothecavewhereshelivedwithFatherWolf，andhecriedonhercoat，whilethefourcubshowledmiserably。
\"Yewillnotforgetme？\"saidMowgli。
\"Neverwhilewecanfollowatrail，\"saidthecubs。\"Cometothefootofthehillwhenthouartaman，andwewilltalktothee;andwewillcomeintothecroplandstoplaywiththeebynight。\"
\"Comesoon！\"saidFatherWolf。\"Oh，wiselittlefrog，comeagainsoon;forwebeold，thymotherandI。\"
\"Comesoon，\"saidMotherWolf，\"littlenakedsonofmine。
For，listen，childofman，IlovedtheemorethaneverIlovedmycubs。\"
\"Iwillsurelycome，\"saidMowgli。\"AndwhenIcomeitwillbetolayoutShereKhan’shideupontheCouncilRock。Donotforgetme！Telltheminthejunglenevertoforgetme！\"
ThedawnwasbeginningtobreakwhenMowgliwentdownthehillsidealone，tomeetthosemysteriousthingsthatarecalledmen。
Hunting—SongoftheSeeoneePackAsthedawnwasbreakingtheSambhurbelledOnce，twiceandagain！
Andadoeleapedup，andadoeleapedupFromthepondinthewoodwherethewilddeersup。
ThisI，scoutingalone，beheld，Once，twiceandagain！
AsthedawnwasbreakingtheSambhurbelledOnce，twiceandagain！
Andawolfstoleback，andawolfstolebackTocarrythewordtothewaitingpack，AndwesoughtandwefoundandwebayedonhistrackOnce，twiceandagain！
AsthedawnwasbreakingtheWolfPackyelledOnce，twiceandagain！
Feetinthejunglethatleavenomark！
Eyesthatcanseeinthedark——thedark！
Tongue——givetonguetoit！Hark！Ohark！
Once，twiceandagain！
Kaa’sHuntingHisspotsarethejoyoftheLeopard：hishornsaretheBuffalo’spride。
Beclean，forthestrengthofthehunterisknownbytheglossofhishide。
IfyefindthattheBullockcantossyou，ortheheavy—browedSambhurcangore;
Yeneednotstopworktoinformus：weknewittenseasonsbefore。
Oppressnotthecubsofthestranger，buthailthemasSisterandBrother，Forthoughtheyarelittleandfubsy，itmaybetheBearistheirmother。
\"Thereisnoneliketome！\"saystheCubintheprideofhisearliestkill;
ButthejungleislargeandtheCubheissmall。Lethimthinkandbestill。
MaximsofBalooAllthatistoldherehappenedsometimebeforeMowgliwasturnedoutoftheSeeoneeWolfPack，orrevengedhimselfonShereKhanthetiger。ItwasinthedayswhenBaloowasteachinghimtheLawoftheJungle。Thebig，serious，oldbrownbearwasdelightedtohavesoquickapupil，fortheyoungwolveswillonlylearnasmuchoftheLawoftheJungleasappliestotheirownpackandtribe，andrunawayassoonastheycanrepeattheHuntingVerse——\"Feetthatmakenonoise;eyesthatcanseeinthedark;earsthatcanhearthewindsintheirlairs，andsharpwhiteteeth，allthesethingsarethemarksofourbrothersexceptTabaquitheJackalandtheHyaenawhomwehate。\"ButMowgli，asaman—cub，hadtolearnagreatdealmorethanthis。SometimesBagheeratheBlackPantherwouldcomeloungingthroughthejungletoseehowhispetwasgettingon，andwouldpurrwithhisheadagainstatreewhileMowglirecitedtheday’slessontoBaloo。Theboycouldclimbalmostaswellashecouldswim，andswimalmostaswellashecouldrun。SoBaloo，theTeacheroftheLaw，taughthimtheWoodandWaterLaws：howtotellarottenbranchfromasoundone;howtospeakpolitelytothewildbeeswhenhecameuponahiveofthemfiftyfeetaboveground;whattosaytoMangtheBatwhenhedisturbedhiminthebranchesatmidday;andhowtowarnthewater—snakesinthepoolsbeforehesplasheddownamongthem。NoneoftheJunglePeoplelikebeingdisturbed，andallareveryreadytoflyatanintruder。Then，too，MowgliwastaughttheStrangers’HuntingCall，whichmustberepeatedaloudtillitisanswered，wheneveroneoftheJungle—Peoplehuntsoutsidehisowngrounds。Itmeans，translated，\"GivemeleavetohuntherebecauseIamhungry。\"Andtheansweris，\"Huntthenforfood，butnotforpleasure。\"
AllthiswillshowyouhowmuchMowglihadtolearnbyheart，andhegrewverytiredofsayingthesamethingoverahundredtimes。But，asBaloosaidtoBagheera，onedaywhenMowglihadbeencuffedandrunoffinatemper，\"Aman’scubisaman’scub，andhemustlearnalltheLawoftheJungle。\"
\"Butthinkhowsmallheis，\"saidtheBlackPanther，whowouldhavespoiledMowgliifhehadhadhisownway。\"Howcanhislittleheadcarryallthylongtalk？\"
\"Isthereanythinginthejungletoolittletobekilled？No。
ThatiswhyIteachhimthesethings，andthatiswhyIhithim，verysoftly，whenheforgets。\"
\"Softly！Whatdostthouknowofsoftness，oldIron—feet？\"
Bagheeragrunted。\"Hisfaceisallbruisedtodaybythy——
softness。Ugh。\"
\"Betterheshouldbebruisedfromheadtofootbymewholovehimthanthatheshouldcometoharmthroughignorance，\"Balooansweredveryearnestly。\"IamnowteachinghimtheMasterWordsoftheJunglethatshallprotecthimwiththebirdsandtheSnakePeople，andallthathuntonfourfeet，excepthisownpack。Hecannowclaimprotection，ifhewillonlyrememberthewords，fromallinthejungle。Isnotthatworthalittlebeating？\"
\"Well，looktoitthenthatthoudostnotkilltheman—cub。
Heisnotreetrunktosharpenthybluntclawsupon。ButwhatarethoseMasterWords？Iammorelikelytogivehelpthantoaskit\"
——Bagheerastretchedoutonepawandadmiredthesteel—blue，ripping—chiseltalonsattheendofit——\"stillIshouldliketoknow。\"
\"IwillcallMowgliandheshallsaythem——ifhewill。
Come，LittleBrother！\"
\"Myheadisringinglikeabeetree，\"saidasullenlittlevoiceovertheirheads，andMowglisliddownatreetrunkveryangryandindignant，addingashereachedtheground：\"IcomeforBagheeraandnotforthee，fatoldBaloo！\"
\"Thatisallonetome，\"saidBaloo，thoughhewashurtandgrieved。\"TellBagheera，then，theMasterWordsoftheJunglethatIhavetaughttheethisday。\"
\"MasterWordsforwhichpeople？\"saidMowgli，delightedtoshowoff。\"Thejunglehasmanytongues。Iknowthemall。\"
\"Alittlethouknowest，butnotmuch。See，OBagheera，theyneverthanktheirteacher。NotonesmallwolflinghasevercomebacktothankoldBalooforhisteachings。SaythewordfortheHunting—People，then——greatscholar。\"
\"Webeofoneblood，yeandI，\"saidMowgli，givingthewordstheBearaccentwhichalltheHuntingPeopleuse。
\"Good。Nowforthebirds。\"
Mowglirepeated，withtheKite’swhistleattheendofthesentence。
\"NowfortheSnake—People，\"saidBagheera。
Theanswerwasaperfectlyindescribablehiss，andMowglikickeduphisfeetbehind，clappedhishandstogethertoapplaudhimself，andjumpedontoBagheera’sback，wherehesatsideways，drummingwithhisheelsontheglossyskinandmakingtheworstfaceshecouldthinkofatBaloo。
\"There——there！Thatwasworthalittlebruise，\"saidthebrownbeartenderly。\"Somedaythouwiltrememberme。\"ThenheturnedasidetotellBagheerahowhehadbeggedtheMasterWordsfromHathitheWildElephant，whoknowsallaboutthesethings，andhowHathihadtakenMowglidowntoapooltogettheSnakeWordfromawater—snake，becauseBaloocouldnotpronounceit，andhowMowgliwasnowreasonablysafeagainstallaccidentsinthejungle，becauseneithersnake，bird，norbeastwouldhurthim。
\"Noonethenistobefeared，\"Baloowoundup，pattinghisbigfurrystomachwithpride。
\"Excepthisowntribe，\"saidBagheera，underhisbreath;andthenaloudtoMowgli，\"Haveacareformyribs，LittleBrother！
Whatisallthisdancingupanddown？\"
MowglihadbeentryingtomakehimselfheardbypullingatBagheera’sshoulderfurandkickinghard。Whenthetwolistenedtohimhewasshoutingatthetopofhisvoice，\"AndsoIshallhaveatribeofmyown，andleadthemthroughthebranchesalldaylong。\"
\"Whatisthisnewfolly，littledreamerofdreams？\"saidBagheera。
\"Yes，andthrowbranchesanddirtatoldBaloo，\"Mowgliwenton。\"Theyhavepromisedmethis。Ah！\"
\"Whoof！\"Baloo’sbigpawscoopedMowglioffBagheera’sback，andastheboylaybetweenthebigfore—pawshecouldseetheBearwasangry。
\"Mowgli，\"saidBaloo，\"thouhastbeentalkingwiththeBandar—log——theMonkeyPeople。\"
MowglilookedatBagheeratoseeifthePantherwasangrytoo，andBagheera’seyeswereashardasjadestones。
\"ThouhastbeenwiththeMonkeyPeople——thegrayapes——thepeoplewithoutalaw——theeatersofeverything。Thatisgreatshame。\"
\"WhenBaloohurtmyhead，\"saidMowgli（hewasstillonhisback），\"Iwentaway，andthegrayapescamedownfromthetreesandhadpityonme。Nooneelsecared。\"Hesnuffledalittle。
\"ThepityoftheMonkeyPeople！\"Baloosnorted。\"Thestillnessofthemountainstream！Thecoolofthesummersun！
Andthen，man—cub？\"
\"Andthen，andthen，theygavemenutsandpleasantthingstoeat，andthey——theycarriedmeintheirarmsuptothetopofthetreesandsaidIwastheirbloodbrotherexceptthatIhadnotail，andshouldbetheirleadersomeday。\"
\"Theyhavenoleader，\"saidBagheera。\"Theylie。Theyhavealwayslied。\"
\"Theywereverykindandbademecomeagain。WhyhaveIneverbeentakenamongtheMonkeyPeople？TheystandontheirfeetasI
do。Theydonothitmewiththeirhardpaws。Theyplayallday。
Letmegetup！BadBaloo，letmeup！Iwillplaywiththemagain。\"
\"Listen，man—cub，\"saidtheBear，andhisvoicerumbledlikethunderonahotnight。\"IhavetaughttheealltheLawoftheJungleforallthepeoplesofthejungle——excepttheMonkey—Folkwholiveinthetrees。Theyhavenolaw。Theyareoutcasts。
Theyhavenospeechoftheirown，butusethestolenwordswhichtheyoverhearwhentheylisten，andpeep，andwaitupaboveinthebranches。Theirwayisnotourway。Theyarewithoutleaders。Theyhavenoremembrance。Theyboastandchatterandpretendthattheyareagreatpeopleabouttodogreataffairsinthejungle，butthefallingofanutturnstheirmindstolaughterandallisforgotten。Weofthejunglehavenodealingswiththem。Wedonotdrinkwherethemonkeysdrink;wedonotgowherethemonkeysgo;wedonothuntwheretheyhunt;wedonotdiewheretheydie。HastthoueverheardmespeakoftheBandar—logtilltoday？\"
\"No，\"saidMowgliinawhisper，fortheforestwasverystillnowBaloohadfinished。
\"TheJungle—Peopleputthemoutoftheirmouthsandoutoftheirminds。Theyareverymany，evil，dirty，shameless，andtheydesire，iftheyhaveanyfixeddesire，tobenoticedbytheJunglePeople。Butwedonotnoticethemevenwhentheythrownutsandfilthonourheads。\"
Hehadhardlyspokenwhenashowerofnutsandtwigsspattereddownthroughthebranches;andtheycouldhearcoughingsandhowlingsandangryjumpingshighupintheairamongthethinbranches。
\"TheMonkey—Peopleareforbidden，\"saidBaloo，\"forbiddentotheJungle—People。Remember。\"
\"Forbidden，\"saidBagheera，\"butIstillthinkBalooshouldhavewarnedtheeagainstthem。\"
\"I——I？HowwasItoguesshewouldplaywithsuchdirt。
TheMonkeyPeople！Faugh！\"
Afreshshowercamedownontheirheadsandthetwotrottedaway，takingMowgliwiththem。WhatBaloohadsaidaboutthemonkeyswasperfectlytrue。Theybelongedtothetree—tops，andasbeastsveryseldomlookup，therewasnooccasionforthemonkeysandtheJungle—Peopletocrosseachother’spath。Butwhenevertheyfoundasickwolf，orawoundedtiger，orbear，themonkeyswouldtormenthim，andwouldthrowsticksandnutsatanybeastforfunandinthehopeofbeingnoticed。Thentheywouldhowlandshrieksenselesssongs，andinvitetheJungle—Peopletoclimbuptheirtreesandfightthem，orwouldstartfuriousbattlesovernothingamongthemselves，andleavethedeadmonkeyswheretheJungle—Peoplecouldseethem。Theywerealwaysjustgoingtohavealeader，andlawsandcustomsoftheirown，buttheyneverdid，becausetheirmemorieswouldnotholdoverfromdaytoday，andsotheycompromisedthingsbymakingupasaying，\"WhattheBandar—logthinknowthejunglewillthinklater，\"andthatcomfortedthemagreatdeal。Noneofthebeastscouldreachthem，butontheotherhandnoneofthebeastswouldnoticethem，andthatwaswhytheyweresopleasedwhenMowglicametoplaywiththem，andtheyheardhowangryBaloowas。
Theynevermeanttodoanymore——theBandar—lognevermeananythingatall;butoneoftheminventedwhatseemedtohimabrilliantidea，andhetoldalltheothersthatMowgliwouldbeausefulpersontokeepinthetribe，becausehecouldweavestickstogetherforprotectionfromthewind;so，iftheycaughthim，theycouldmakehimteachthem。OfcourseMowgli，asawoodcutter’schild，inheritedallsortsofinstincts，andusedtomakelittlehutsoffallenbrancheswithoutthinkinghowhecametodoit。TheMonkey—People，watchinginthetrees，consideredhisplaymostwonderful。Thistime，theysaid，theywerereallygoingtohavealeaderandbecomethewisestpeopleinthejungle——sowisethateveryoneelsewouldnoticeandenvythem。
ThereforetheyfollowedBalooandBagheeraandMowglithroughthejungleveryquietlytillitwastimeforthemiddaynap，andMowgli，whowasverymuchashamedofhimself，sleptbetweenthePantherandtheBear，resolvingtohavenomoretodowiththeMonkeyPeople。
Thenextthingherememberedwasfeelinghandsonhislegsandarms——hard，strong，littlehands——andthenaswashofbranchesinhisface，andthenhewasstaringdownthroughtheswayingboughsasBaloowokethejunglewithhisdeepcriesandBagheeraboundedupthetrunkwitheverytoothbared。TheBandar—loghowledwithtriumphandscuffledawaytotheupperbrancheswhereBagheeradarednotfollow，shouting：\"Hehasnoticedus！Bagheerahasnoticedus。AlltheJungle—Peopleadmireusforourskillandourcunning。\"Thentheybegantheirflight;andtheflightoftheMonkey—Peoplethroughtree—landisoneofthethingsnobodycandescribe。Theyhavetheirregularroadsandcrossroads，uphillsanddownhills，alllaidoutfromfiftytoseventyorahundredfeetaboveground，andbythesetheycantravelevenatnightifnecessary。TwoofthestrongestmonkeyscaughtMowgliunderthearmsandswungoffwithhimthroughthetreetops，twentyfeetatabound。Hadtheybeenalonetheycouldhavegonetwiceasfast，buttheboy’sweightheldthemback。SickandgiddyasMowgliwashecouldnothelpenjoyingthewildrush，thoughtheglimpsesofearthfardownbelowfrightenedhim，andtheterriblecheckandjerkattheendoftheswingovernothingbutemptyairbroughthisheartbetweenhisteeth。Hisescortwouldrushhimupatreetillhefeltthethinnesttopmostbranchescrackleandbendunderthem，andthenwithacoughandawhoopwouldflingthemselvesintotheairoutwardanddownward，andbringup，hangingbytheirhandsortheirfeettothelowerlimbsofthenexttree。
Sometimeshecouldseeformilesandmilesacrossthestillgreenjungle，asamanonthetopofamastcanseeformilesacrossthesea，andthenthebranchesandleaveswouldlashhimacrosstheface，andheandhistwoguardswouldbealmostdowntoearthagain。So，boundingandcrashingandwhoopingandyelling，thewholetribeofBandar—logsweptalongthetree—roadswithMowglitheirprisoner。
Foratimehewasafraidofbeingdropped。Thenhegrewangrybutknewbetterthantostruggle，andthenhebegantothink。ThefirstthingwastosendbackwordtoBalooandBagheera，for，atthepacethemonkeysweregoing，heknewhisfriendswouldbeleftfarbehind。Itwasuselesstolookdown，forhecouldonlyseethetopsidesofthebranches，sohestaredupwardandsaw，farawayintheblue，RanntheKitebalancingandwheelingashekeptwatchoverthejunglewaitingforthingstodie。Rannsawthatthemonkeyswerecarryingsomething，anddroppedafewhundredyardstofindoutwhethertheirloadwasgoodtoeat。HewhistledwithsurprisewhenhesawMowglibeingdraggeduptoatreetopandheardhimgivetheKitecallfor——\"Webeofoneblood，thouandI。\"Thewavesofthebranchesclosedovertheboy，butChilbalancedawaytothenexttreeintimetoseethelittlebrownfacecomeupagain。\"Markmytrail！\"Mowglishouted。\"TellBaloooftheSeeoneePackandBagheeraoftheCouncilRock。\"
\"Inwhosename，Brother？\"RannhadneverseenMowglibefore，thoughofcoursehehadheardofhim。
\"Mowgli，theFrog。Man—cubtheycallme！Markmytra—il！\"
Thelastwordswereshriekedashewasbeingswungthroughtheair，butRannnoddedandroseuptillhelookednobiggerthanaspeckofdust，andtherehehung，watchingwithhistelescopeeyestheswayingofthetreetopsasMowgli’sescortwhirledalong。
\"Theynevergofar，\"hesaidwithachuckle。\"Theyneverdowhattheysetouttodo。AlwayspeckingatnewthingsaretheBandar—log。Thistime，ifIhaveanyeye—sight，theyhavepeckeddowntroubleforthemselves，forBalooisnofledglingandBagheeracan，asIknow，killmorethangoats。\"
Soherockedonhiswings，hisfeetgatheredupunderhim，andwaited。